SMITH, Kirk A.
Kirk Alan Smith of Helena, Montana, formerly of Minnesota, lost his 8-year battle with cancer on October 24, 2012 at St. Peters Hospital in Helena. Kirk was 53.
Kirk was born August 16, 1959 to Gene and Donna Anderson Smith. His early years were spent in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. He welcomed his brother, Barry, in 1962. When Kirk was 8 the family moved to Roseville, Minnesota. He attended public schools until his ninth grade year when he enrolled at Minnehaha Academy, a private, faith-based school. Kirk was an outstanding student and graduated with honors at the top of his class in 1978. Kirk was very competitive academically and athletically. Upon graduating he received Athlete of the Year Award as well as the President’s Award for Academic Excellence. Kirk was co-captain of the basketball team, the soccer team, and excelled in tennis. He also was a four-year tuba player in the band.
Upon graduating from high school he enrolled at Bethel University in St. Paul where he majored in mathematics graduating summa cum laude in 1982. While at Bethel he decided to become an actuary and completed the first two tests before graduating. He excelled in tennis and was the #1 singles player for Bethel. This passion extended into adulthood as he pursued a ranking as an adult in Minnesota tennis. Golf soon took over and he became an avid competitive golfer, a passion that lasted until the very end.
Kirk worked his way through Bethel as an employee at the Arden Hills Racquet Club and gave private tennis lessons as time permitted. Upon graduating from Bethel he accepted an actuarial position in Chicago. When in Chicago he studied for and passed several more of the actuarial tests before returning to Minnesota in 1984 to work in his field. He completed all his tests and achieved the level of Fellow in the Society of Actuaries (FSA).
In 1987 he married Samlong. He proudly became an instant father to two sons, Bong and Bee. To this union two sons were born – Joshua in 1989 and Jacob in 1993. Kirk was very proud of his four sons.
In 1993, shortly before Jacob was born, Kirk’s father, Gene, died very suddenly. This untimely death was very difficult for Kirk as they were very close.
In 2000 he married Lisa and became the stepfather to daughter, Beth. Shortly after marriage they moved from Woodbury, Minnesota to Helena, Montana where Kirk accepted a position with Blue Cross Blue Shield Montana as a Vice President of Actuarial. In 2002 Abby Rose was born. Now he had daughters to be proud of.
In 2004 Kirk was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. In the spring of 2005 he went through a stem cell transplant at the Mayo Clinic. Kirk struggled with his cancer and in 2007 he went on disability. In 2010 Kirk was diagnosed with cancer of the duodenum and went through an extensive Whipple surgery at the University of Washington in Seattle. Because of his determination he lived another two years. Kirk’s desire and prayer all along was to live until Josh and Jacob graduated from high school. Josh graduated in 2008 and Jacob graduated in 2012. They are both students at the University of Montana.
Kirk was preceded in death by his father, Gene; his paternal grandparents, Arnold and Sue Smith of Valparaiso, Indiana; and maternal grandparents, Winfield and Olga Anderson of Cambridge, Minnesota.
Kirk is survived by Lisa, his sons Joshua and Jacob, daughter Abby Rose, stepsons Bong (Yi) and Bee (Pontiwa), stepdaughter Beth, granddaughter Meena, grandson Finnius, mother Donna, brother Barry, numerous relatives and friends, and special niece Kelsey Smith.
Kirk will be remembered for his smile and his gentle ways.
A memorial service is scheduled at 1:00 PM Friday, November 2, 2012 at Life Covenant Church, 800 N. Hoback St., a reception will follow the memorial service in the fellowship hall at the church. An additional memorial service will take place at 2:00 pm Saturday, November 17th at Central Baptist Church, 420 Roy Street North, St. Paul, MN 55104. Burial will take place at Roselawn Cemetery, Roseville MN. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Kirk’s name are suggested to Life Covenant Church, Hoback St.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
1:00 P.M.
Friday November 2, 2012
Life Covenant Church
800 N Hoback Street
Helena, MT 59601
Reception
Following the Memorial Service
Friday November 2, 2012
Life Covenant Church
800 N Hoback Street
Helena, MT 59601
Memorial Service
2:00 p.m.
Saturday November 17, 2012
Central Baptist Church
420 Roy Street North
St. Paul, MN 55104
Burial
Following the memorial service
Saturday November 17, 2012
Roselawn Cemetery
803 West Larpenteur Avenue
Roseville, MN 55113
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
1:00 P.M.
Friday November 2, 2012
Life Covenant Church
800 N Hoback Street
Helena, MT 59601
Reception
Following the Memorial Service
Friday November 2, 2012
Life Covenant Church
800 N Hoback Street
Helena, MT 59601
Memorial Service
2:00 p.m.
Saturday November 17, 2012
Central Baptist Church
420 Roy Street North
St. Paul, MN 55104
Burial
Following the memorial service
Saturday November 17, 2012
Roselawn Cemetery
803 West Larpenteur Avenue
Roseville, MN 55113
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Susan Court says
Kind, considerate, happy, gentle, golf buddy and friend – that was Kirk. His medical challenges were only outweighed by his determination to enjoy the life he had been given. My thoughts and prayers are with family and friends of Kirk at this time. Our sorrow can only be lifted by remembering his joyful presence in our lives.
Mike & Judy Wagner says
We will never forget the courage that Kirk demonstrated every day for the last eight years.
It was my privlege to work with Kirk during his career at Blue Cross. He always looked at the positive side of life and was an asset to all of those around him. We were glad that he got to see both Josh and Jacob graduate. It meant the world to him. Kirk’s faith was an integral part of his day to day life and comforted him to the end.
Mike & Judy Wagner
Bong Somtakoune says
When he passed, the sunlight was out over the mountains when I looked out of the window. Josh was on the left side of him and Jay’s wife was on the other side. I know that he is in a place of eternal life and will be enjoying it with Jesus Christ. He was a man of forgiveness and patience. He was a giver and extremely unselfish. He treated me like a son and loved me unconditionally. I am forever grateful.
Det Sayaraj says
I’ve met Kirk a few times. In those moments he was so easy going and very fun to talk with. He was very engaging and i could tell he was very smart, articulate, and full of wisdom.I can see his heart, passion, and love for life through knowing my little brothers Jakie and Josh. Seeing the love that my other two brothers Bong and Bee express through these years makes me feel like I’ve known him all my life.My condolences goes out to Lisa and the family.
Sincerely,
Det
Mary Kay Puckett says
Kirk was a true example of facing adversity with dignity. He always kept a positive outlook on life – even until the end. I admired how dedicated he was to all his children and how hard he fought to stick around as long as he could to assure they were all taken care of. My prayers go out to Josh, Jacob, Bong, Bee, and Abby Rose. You had a wonderful father who loved you all very much.
Mary Kay
Wayne Nankivel says
I was saddened to hear of Kirk’s passing. I worked with him at Blue Cross Blue Shield and was always very intrigued with not only how committed he was to his job and doing the best job possible, but also his belief in his employees and his willingness to always support them. We also golfed together at Bill Roberts, that was alway fun, and he always had such a bright happy outlook on life. I will miss him, but I also know I was blessed to have known him. He lives now with our Lord and Savior, what better place could there be?
Susan George says
Dear Smith Family: I am very sorry for your great loss of your dear husband,father and grandfather (Kirk) during this difficult time. I hope your family can draw comfort from the the promises given to us from Our Very Loving Creator Jehovah God. He promises in John 5 :28,29 & Revelation 21:4 to bring Kirk back to life in the resurrection right here on earth in the near future and end all sadness,suffering ,sickness and death forever.
Jessica Schmiesing says
Rest in peace Kirk. You have great kids who bring light and joy to the world. Your family cared deeply for you and will miss you greatly. My condolences to those who lost a man they loved. I believe Kirk is in heaven with a golf club in his hand and that little boy smile on his face.
Ginny Smith says
I was Kirk’s mother-in-law. The few times I saw him he was respectful and kind. We had prayer groups for him from coast to coast. I believe he is in a place of universal love and peace.
Michelle Fallahi says
I worked with Kirk at Fortis in Woodbury, MN. He was such a smart, kind-hearted, respected gentleman. We loved working with him! He was a lot smarter than us and he could have had an attitude when he explained some pricing concept to us but he never, never did! He was patient, fun and such a good father. I always thought he had the priorities just right. He worried about the important things and never sweated the small stuff. To hear he was gone took many people in Minnesota breath away. What a loss, for everyone was a better person for having known him! We haven’t been in contact for a while, but I did want his family to know how much he was cared for and how their loss is shared by many. Rest in peace Kirk.